You made it to midterms and spring break! This is a good time to reflect on the hard work you've put in so far and celebrate your successes. Take advantage of this upcoming downtime and do activities that bring you joy, or start to look ahead to the rest of the semester–it's up to you! This month we'll cover some helpful tips for midterms and provide some reminders to have a safe, fun, and rejuvenating break.
MIDTERMS ARE JUST AHEAD
NOW is the best time to begin preparing yourself for your upcoming tests and projects. Taking time before the day of a big test or presentation to focus on preparation and taking care of yourself can minimize the day-of jitters.
Talk with your advisers and professors if you feel you aren't doing well in a class or need some clarification on a subject. Don't be afraid to use a professor's office hours so you can get some one-on-one time with them and be able to get a better understanding of the subject.
Focus on your study habits. Now is the time to develop some healthy study habits, so that when finals week comes around you are comfortable and less stressed with trying to figure out what techniques work for you. A few extra tips to help get you started:
- Study early and in similar places. The WVU Libraries are a great place to study. Did you know that students can also reserve space in the Mountainlair throughout the year? Just contact the Mountainlair Reservations office to make a reservation, it can even be the day of.
- Use the tutoring resources on campus.
- Establish a consistent pretest routine.
- Don't ignore a learning disability. WVU Accessibility Services can help with academic accommodations. Don't wait until finals week to apply. Contact them today to begin the process and meet with an accessibility specialist.
Still feeling anxious? You can always set up an appointment with Carruth to talk with a counselor who can help you identify some additional relaxation techniques that may work better for you. You can schedule an appointment online or by calling 304-293-4431.
GEARING UP FOR SPRING BREAK
Freedom is in the air and the opportunity to get away is calling! As you prepare for spring break, here are some helpful safety reminders.
- Hydrate and fuel your body. Make sure you eat food before and during drinking and get lots of sleep.
- Know your limits. Avoid drinking games and stick with one type of alcohol. WELLWVU has several other alcohol protective factors you can read up on.
- Be aware of your environment and have a plan to get home safely. Whether it's a ride-sharing app, designated driver, taxi, or walking, plan ahead for how you will get home safely. Check out WELLWVU's Party Smart Tips for some additional planning.
- Bring a friend (or let your friends know what you're doing if you go out alone). If you are staying in Morgantown for break, make sure the LiveSafe app is installed on your phone. LiveSafe enables direct and discreet two-way communication with University Police using text, picture, video and audio. It also lets you virtually walk your friends and family home with SafeWalk.
- Know when to call for help. Whether you are staying in Morgantown or leaving town for spring break, Medical amnesty applies. Under the University's Student Code of Conduct, and the laws of West Virginia, bystanders and those affected by drug or alcohol overdose may be safe from prosecution and may not faces charges if they seek medical assistance in an emergency.
MIDTERM CHECKPOINT
Jumping back into class after a break can be challenging. Take some time to reflect on your goals for the semester. Create a plan that will help you stay on track! Don't forget there are resources on campus that can help you with this.
- Writing Studio Eberly Writing Studio | Department of English | West Virginia University (wvu.edu)
- Office of Student Success Student Success at West Virginia University (wvu.edu)
- Tutoring Tutoring at West Virginia University (wvu.edu)
- Libraries Libraries at West Virginia University (wvu.edu)